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President Elect's Office voice concerns over failure to present budget in majlis

Mariyath Mohamed
31 October 2023, MVT 20:35
Transitional Committee Spokesperson Mohamed Firuzul.-- Photo: Mihaaru
Mariyath Mohamed
31 October 2023, MVT 20:35

President Elect's Office has voiced concerns over the failure to conduct today's parliamentary session on the supplementary budget and 2024 State budget.

According to the Parliament Regulations, the Finance Minister has to submit the annual state budget to parliament before the first of November. Although the matter was placed on agenda in accordance with this regulation, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had demonstrated against and disrupted today's sitting.

MDP acted against reviewing the budget today because the party maintains that as per the Parliament Regulations, no other work in parliament can be conducted prior to reaching a decision on the no-confidence motion submitted against the Parliament Speaker. Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer also did not attend today's parliamentary session.

Transitional Committee Spokesperson said in a press briefing today that it is concerning that budget review was not allowed to proceed in accordance with the regulations.

He added that the Office hopes to eradicate at the earliest any obstacles to conducting parliamentary work. He further expressed hope that all three powers of the State would work to ensure that the necessary work on the budget is allowed to go through.

Although the Finance Minister failed to attend today's parliament session, he has submitted the budget to the parliament today. The budget is also published on the Ministry's website. According to this, the budget for 2024 is estimated at MVR 49.5 billion.

Firuzul stated that in compiling the budget, Muizzu gave priority to limit the budget total to not more than MVR 49 billion. He explained that this was done with a view to balance the difference between revenue and debt, and to ensure the pledges he made to the people can be fulfilled.

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